An "indoor tropical swimming paradise" or a music venue with a street food market have been suggested for Southend's landmark Kursaal building amid hopes a "deal can be done" in the new year.

Negotiations for London-based property group AEW to surrender the 200-year lease have been ongoing for a number of years. Southend Council only owns the freehold of the treasured Grade II-listed building.

Now, leading Southend politicians including Labour leader Daniel Cowan and Daniel Nelson, Conservative councillor responsible for economic growth and investment, hope a “deal can be done” in 2024 to bring the pleasure palace back into use

As Mr Cowan told the Echo a decision on what should go inside the building should be made by the community, residents have shared their ideas on what the Kursaal should be transformed into if Southend Council gets the lease back.

A popular choice shared, with 88 likes on the Echo's Facebook page, was for the building to be transformed into an indoor "tropical swimming paradise" like Center Parcs' well-known Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

A music venue was the most common suggestion, alongside an indoor market. 

Jolie Boyle said: "A music venue. Also an indoor street food place with lots of independent food vendors. Something like the Time Out market in Lisbon. Lovely sociable place."

Earlier this year, a campaigning mum who lives close to the Kursaal launched a petition for an indoor fresh food market to be created inside the venue after revealing it “breaks her heart” to see it “dilapidated and not being used”. 

Terry-Mandy Williams also received many likes for their living museum-style proposal: "A Victorian-themed street with people dressed as Victorians.

"Could have shops and pubs inside all styled from that era. Should include a museum of memorabilia of the Kursaal, pier and Southend in its heyday. Would be lovely for locals and visitors to see.

"Maybe include entertainment areas for families, like roller skating, and have old fashioned games like shuttle board."